ICSO receives donations for 4 new AEDs for patrol cars

Friday

Jul 11, 2014 at 10:50 PMJul 11, 2014 at 10:51 PM

Karen Botakaren.bota@sentinel-standard.com

Thanks to the generosity of several county businesses and residents, the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office is closer to its goal of carrying one AED in each of its 10 vehicles whenever they are out on the road.An AED — or automated external defibrillator, which diagnoses cardiac arrhythmias and can re-establish a regular heart rhythm through an electrical shock — costs $1,600, which is beyond the budget of the sheriff’s office, said Deputy Brent Denny."For a number of years we have had one AED that has gone out with a deputy on his or her tour of duty. I have found that one is simply not enough for an entire county," Denny said. "You might say, ‘Well, we have the fire department that has an AED.’ This is true; however, the police oftentimes find themselves on the scene of an incident long before fire and EMS."Denny said research has shown that early defibrillation is key to a successful outcome for a person in cardiac arrest, and that CPR is not enough.He wrote a letter explaining the need, and he and ICSO Sgt. Stan Hoskins made personal calls to individuals who might be supportive of the project. They were."Everyone we dealt with had very positive comments about it," Denny said. "We found four people who were able to commit to an entire unit, and three others who were able to donate toward purchasing equipment and supplies, like pads, for the AED units."One of those people was Crist Johnson, an Ionia dentist."As a health care professional, I know that situations occur where people go into cardiac arrest. At these times, it's important to have the right equipment when and where it happens, to increase the likelihood that they will survive," said Johnson. "The county does a great job, and isn't always appreciated for all the work they do. This could happen to anybody — my wife, son or neighbor — and when it happens, the county is usually the first to respond. I want to make sure they're well equipped."Greg Herbruck also donated money for an AED."We’re a big part of the community, and we have to protect our citizens. We strongly support the sheriff’s office," Herbruck said. "Just having one more first responder with this capability — for the families of our employees and also the community — made sense. We donate a lot of eggs; this is one more involvement we have, and it helps us in the long run, because it helps the community."The Sparrow Ionia Hospital Foundation and Edmondson Rouse & Schmid Family Medicine also donated funds for an AED. Others who contributed to the project were Dr. Charles Barker, Jerry Gallagher and Devereaux Sawmill in Pewamo.Sheriff Dale Miller called the AEDs "a fantastic tool" and said he appreciates the support of the community to enable his department to purchase the units."They're one more resource to help first responders and one more response tool," Miller said. "It's impressive when businesses step up to the plate to make a donation. It's heartwarming to know we live in this kind of community."Denny also was impressed with the response. He said every person approached by him or Hoskins told them buying AED units for the deputies’ cars "made sense.""With us often being the first ones there, they know the sooner we can do something for someone with defibrillation, the better the outcome," he said. "I feel really blessed."Denny’s and Hoskins’ goal is to get five more AEDs. Anyone who would like to make a donation can send a check, made payable to the Ionia County Treasurer, with a notation "For AED," and drop it off or mail it to the Ionia County Sheriff’s Office, c/o Suana McDaniels, 133 E Adams St., Ionia, MI 48846.Contact Hoskins or Denny with any questions at 616-527-5383.